Am I Programmed?

Let's take a fun quiz first and then talk about the results, shall we?

Please write down the first brand name that appears in your mind when you read the following terms:

1) Diapers

2) Vacuum Cleaner

3) Cranberry Juice

4) Orange Juice

5) The Purple Pill

6) Bottled Water

7) The Ultimate Driving Machine

8) Instant Relief from Pain

9) Gasoline

10) You're in good hands with ______



Done? Ok, then let me ask you how long it took you to answer the questions. Most people will say a couple of minutes. Maybe for a couple of questions you had to think (most commonly decide between multiple options). But the majority of the questions came to you by the time you were done reading the terms, right? That is because that is EXACTLY what the advertisers want you to do--think of them without really thinking!

These are classic examples of Pavlovian responses. (Please look up Dr. Pavlov if you don't know what I'm talking about). We have all been PROGRAMMED !!! This is great for advertisers but where does that leave us--the people. I believe it leaves us less able to think for ourselves.

Now although this problem is prevalent throughout society, it hurts to see how it's even crept into health care. This is downright DANGEROUS. How commonly do we hear people who have a headache get advice from neighbors, coworkers or even loving family members, "just take a painkiller". Or when you have indigestion, "just take this pill or potion". You understand where I'm going now. Why don't we ask the right questions rather than giving knee-jerk reactions to such body signals or symptoms.

Let's set ourselves free by promising to 'think' rather than give Pavlovian responses. Wow, I feel empowered just talking about it.

And finally, we should think about the 'causes' of symptoms and body signals before we think about their solutions. Remember, your spine houses the spinal cord from where vital nerve communication takes place between the brain and various body parts. Any disturbance in this vital communication link may lead to dysfunction in the body that can later lead to symptoms such as headache, indigestion, fatigue and stress etc. We call this disturbance or dysfunction a SUBLUXATION. So the key is be aware of the cause, the SUBLUXATION.

Please keep healthy and happy.

Dr. Behjat H. Syed, Chiropractor